Indicating device for improving skill in golf



Nov. 20, 1951 s. N. LEMOYNE INDICATING DEVICE FOR IMPROVING SKILL IN GOLF 2 Sl-IEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 25, 1949 I N VE N TOR la/mql/elflf'lmqyme BY 72. 4407 W? Nov. 20, 1951 s. N. LEMOYNE 2,575,668

INDICATING DEVICE FOR IMPROVING SKILL IN com" Filed May 25, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 0 Q Q m. m A V/ Q m m m V 4 .22

Jegzmei Patented Nov. 20, 1951 INDICATING DEVICE FOR HHPROVING SKILL IN GOLF Samuel N. Lemoyne, Ventnor, N. J.

Application May 25, 1949, Serial No. 95,258 Claims. (01. 273-35) This invention relates to a device for improving the skill in golf, useful for the "pro, in teaching, and to the player in practice.

The principal object of the invention is to pro; vide a device adjustable to the width of the stance,

the width of stance having a longitudinal series of indicator stations each representing the correct position of a ball, with reference to the stance and to the particular club to be used, and arrindicator adapted to be placed at any selected station,

having recesses on the opposite sides distin guished, as by different colors, which are out of view whenthe head is in proper position overthe ball, but visible as a warning when there is any appreciable forward or backward sway of the body in executing the stroke. j

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following description of a preferred and practical embodiment thereof proceeds. In the drawing which accompanies the following specification and throughout the figures of which the same references have been used to denote identical parts: 1-

; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the principles of the invention, shown with reference to the ball, club and stance; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device, in collapsed position, that is, with the parts nested;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 33 of Figure 2; I i

- Figure 4 is a cross-section taken along the line 4-4 ofFigure 3; Figure 5 is a longitudinal medial vertical section through the base in expanded position, the indicator being shown in elevation with part broken away.

Referring now in detail to the several figures,

the'numeral l represents the base as "a whole, composed of telescopic sections 2 and 23. The sections, as shown, are of tubular form, rectangularin cross-section, the section 3 being; slidable within the section 2. The indicator 4,.Ewhich"is shown removably seated upon the base in Figure 1, is also of rectangular cross-section and slidably fits within the outer end of the section 3',as

,. tions to measure narrower stances.

extends longitudinally of both sections, which scale may be shortened-by telescoping the sec- The section- 2 has a series of perforations 6, spaced an inch apart and placed corresponding to inch marks on the scale. The perforations receive the spur I of the indicator 4, for securing the indicator, and the section 3 has a longitudinal slot 8 in its upper face which is provided so that the section 3 will not obstruct the perforations 6 when the sections are partially telescoped. Figure 5 shows the spur 1 passing through one of the perforations B and through the slot 8. The section 3 has a longitudinal series of perforations 9, an inch apart. which is a continuation of the series of perforations 6 of the section 2.

The indicator 4 is a rectangular block having the spur 1 projecting from its bottom face, and having a knob I ll at its opposite end for handling it generally, and for pulling it out from the end of the section 2 preparatory to using the device. The knob may be in the shape of a golf ball, indicating that the golf ball is to be placed adjacent the indicator. The latter is selectively located by thrusting the spur 1 into one of the perforations 6 or 9, according to which club is to be employed for the next stroke. The indicator has recesses V on its opposite sides, the bottom of one being, for

example, red and the bottom of the other blue. In order that the colors will not be seen by one standing directly in front of the indicator, the bottoms of the recesses incline away from the face planes of the sides of the indicator toward the rear.

The front of the indicator is marked with an index I I so that the player will know which is the front of the indicator, which when properly positioned will face the player. The index H may be round, suggesting a ball.

In using the device, the base is first extended until its length is equal to the distance between the toes in the normal stance of the individual player, which in a proper stance should be no wider than the shoulders. The base I is then placed upon the ground, the left toe being in a line perpendicular to the left end A ofthe base. and the right toe being in a line perpendicular to the right end B thereof. The ball is to be placed about four inches in front of the base, and the player stands far enough away from the ball for a comfortable swing.

To practice iron shots, the number five iron being the middle iron, is played with the ball half way between the ends A and B of the base I. Regardless of the length of the base, the ball is always placed at the middle point. This represents the lowermost point in the arc of swing of the stroke. Those irons which have a smaller that it is struck on the down swing of the club.

The proper position of the ball for each iron is determined from the following table.

No. 4 iron 1 inch left of center.

No. 3 iron 3 inches left of center.

No. 2 iron 5 inches left of center.

No. 6 iron 2 inches right of center.

No. 7 iron 4 inches right of center.

No. 8 iron 5 inches right of center.

No. 9 iron 6 inches right of center.

Definite positions are indicated on the base at the left of center for playing the woods, which have little or no lofting angle.

In using the device, reference is had to the table and the indicator is placed in the position prescribed for the club about to be used. The indicator is placed with its front facing the player, and the ball in front of the indicator. The player assumes his normal stance with equal weight on both feet and the axis of the body in a vertical plane passing through the middle point in the left of the base 1. He pivots the body slightly so as to bring the head over the ball, if it is in a lateral position with respect to the middle. If he has color on either side of the indicator he turns it a little, so that its sides are parallel to a radial plane through the axis of the body. In swinging at the ball he strives to keep the head in such position that neither of the colored sides of the indicator are seen. The visibility of either colored side, while executing the swing, is a sign of faulty pivoting. If the red is seen, it indicates undue sway in 'a rearward direction at the beginning of the stroke. If blue is seen, it indicates excessive forward sway.

While I have in the above description disclosed what I believe to be a practical embodiment of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific details of construction, shape and arrangement of parts are by way of example and not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention- What I claim as my invention is:

1. Golf practice apparatus comprising a base adjustable in length to equal the width of an individual stance, said base having a longitudinal series of definite stations representing ball positions for individual clubs, and an indicator adapted to be selectively positioned at said stations, said indicator having a front face and lateral faces, the latter having indicating portions symmetrical with respect to the medial vertical plane of said indicator intersecting the front face, visually obstructed with respect to a line of sight coinciding with said medial plane, but either one or the other of said portions being visible with respect to a line of sight obliqueto said medial plane.

2. Golf practice apparatus comprisin a base adjustable in length to equal the width of an individual stance, said base having a longitudinal series of definite stations representing ball positions for individual clubs and having a perforation at each station, and an indicator adapted to be selectively positioned at said stations having a spur insertable in said perforations, said indicator having a front face and lateral faces, the latter having portions symmetrical with respect to the medial vertical plane of said indicator which intersects the front face, visually obstructed with respect to a line of sight coinciding with said medial plane, but either one or the other of said portions being visible with respect to a line of sight oblique to said medial plane. Y

I 3. Golf practice apparatus comprising a base consisting of tubular sections, one slidably fitting within the other, said sections being extensibly adjustable to a length equal to the width of the stance of the player using the practice apparatus, a'series of spaced holes extending longitudinally of both said sections, that part of the series which is on one section being laterally offset with respect to that part which is on the other section, the inner section having a longitudinal slot aligned with the part of said series of holes on the outer section, into which slot the holes of the outer section open when said sections are telescoped, and an indicator provided with a spur, selectively insertable in one of said holes.

4. Golf practice apparatus comprising a base consisting of tubular sections, one slidably fitting within the other, said sections being extensibly adjustable to a length equal to the width of the stance of the player using the practice apparatus, a series of spaced holes extending longitudinally of both said sections, that part of the series which is on one section being laterally offset with respect to that part which is onthe other section, the inner section having a longitudinal slot aligned with the part of said series of holes on the outer section, into which slot the holes of the outer section open when. said sections are telescoped, and an indicator provided with a spur, selectively insertable in one of said holes, said indicator being shaped to slidably fit within said inner section.

5. Golf practice apparatus comprising a base consisting of tubular sections, one slidably fitting within the other, said sections being extensibly adjustable to a length equal to the width of the stance of the player using the practice apparatus, a series of spaced holes extending longitudinally of both said sections, that part of the series which is on one section being laterally offset with respect to that part which is on the other section, the inner section having a longitudinal slot aligned with the part of said series of holes on the outer section, into which slot the holes of the outer section open when said sections are telescoped, and an indicator provided with a spur, selectively insertable in one of said holes, said indicator having a front face and lateral faces, the latter having portions symmetrical with respect to the medial vertical plane of said indicator which intersects the front face, visually obstructed with respect to a line of sight coinciding with said medial plane, but either one or the other of said portions being visible with respect to a line of sight oblique to said medial plane.

SAMUEL N. LEMOYNE.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of-this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Crowley Dec. 28, 1948 

